A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Uncurtas, -es, Uncourtes, adj., adv. Also: uncortes, -courtius, oncurtas. [ME and e.m.E. vncurteys (Manning), uncurtes (1426), vncourteyse (1533); Curtas adj., Curtes adj., Courtas adj.]
A. adj. Lacking in courtesy or civility; discourteous, uncivil.(a) 1456 Hay I 222/4.
He that had sa hard a hert na he wald have merci of thame … he war ungentill, uncurtas, and unconnand a1500 Rauf C. 122.
Thow art vncourtes 1531 Aberd. Pynours 34.
Thair is mony of the said pynouris uncurtes and our large in takin of thair feis for thair labouris 1533 Boece 261a.
The felloun Saxons of Germanye quhilk ever ȝit war vncurtas 1534 Wemyss Corr. 3.
Cuthtbert Vemys … als weil in vncurtas bering to his seruantis as be his awin vnrychtfulnes … gevis exempill to otheris to do the samyn a1568 Scott xxi 19.
Scho wes vncurtas & vnkynd: It wes hir play to se me pynd a1585 Maitl. Q. 35/67.
For and thow be vncourtius proud and hie Then all the warld sall thé detaist 1589 St. A. B. Ct. 2 Sept.
Hes fund the said Androw Rickart to haue hielie offendit in his proud & vncortes behauiour(b) 1513 Doug. Exclam. heading.
Ane exclamatioun aganyst detractouris and oncurtas redaris
B. adv. Discourteously, uncivilly. = Uncurtasly adv.1575–6 Reg. Privy C. II 483.
Johnne McClayne his sone and apperand air hes usit himself verie uncourtes toward the said Murdo his fader
